HOOVER (June 28, 2009) — Despite shooting three-over par in the final round Sunday, University of Central Missouri golfer Justin Yoder took a one-stroke victory at the ninth-annual Greystone Invitational.
A first-time visitor to Greystone's Founders' Course, Yoder shot a 69 in the first two rounds of the tournament to move to six-under par entering the final 36 holes of play.
Justin Yoder holds the Greystone Invitational trophy on the 18th green.
"I normally try to do pretty well without playing a course before. I expect to go out there and win every time," he said.
Yoder's lead shrunk the next two rounds, shooting two-over par on Saturday. by the time he reached hole No. 17 Sunday he sat tied with Chris Rockwell of Maryland. Rockwell, a Vanderbilt University golfer, bogeyed the whole to move to even par, while Yoder hit par to maintain a one-stroke lead as he approached the 18th green.
His approach shot on the par 5 hole, shot long of the pin and spun onto the green.
"I knew I had to stick it in there close to at least give myself an opportunity to get a two-putt par and win," Yoder said. "I just left it out to the right of the pin so I wouldn’t risk going left and going into the water."
Two putts later, Yoder was champion.
"It’s a big win. It’s probably one of the bigger tournaments, player size, that I’ve played in," said Yoder, who was named the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association Golfer of the Year in the spring.
McCuen Elmore of Clemson University shot a 71 Sunday, as the only golfer below par for the final round. Michael Osborn's 68 on Saturday was the low score for the tournament.
Glenn Northcutt of Auburn tied for second with Rockwell, while Jake Greer of North Shelby County was fourth and former Spain Park golfer Trey Del Greco finished tied for 10th.
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